Tag Archives: tlc

I shall start this off again by Apologising for the delay in last week’s Jobber Blogger. It’s now 11:15pm on Friday, and I’m super tired, but there’s no way I can afford to get behind!

It’s Bound for Glory week, if I miss Impact for even a day it’s then all on top of me again.

Impact saw a slight, minimal increase in the Ratings this week, no doubt due to the Full Metal Mayhem match, but it really is a shame that TNA have put on these awesome matches, and they just don’t draw in the attention they should.

Personally it makes little sense to have this on a Televised show of Impact, rather than say Bound for Glory.

I know they had other plans, but moving this Full Metal Mayhem match to a PPV would have made it all that more special.

I’ve said it the last few weeks running, but the Crowds just don’t seem great, and that can really suck the energy out of a show, especially viewing it edited and obviously taped back to back.

But hey, that’s the current situation, least Impact is putting on History worth matches!

Okay so Impact didn’t kick off with this match, it kicked off with Bobby Roode, MVP and Kenny King, but there’s little point getting into that build up when I have to write down the match later on, so I’ll get to that a little later.

This match as it is, is more confusing.

The Winner of this match will face the Winner of the Bound for Glory match between Havok and Velvet.

It’s a little odd to throw Velvet into a match against Havok as it is, clearly because if Gail got dominated, then Velvet isn’t going to stand much of a chance.

Shame ODB is no longer with TNA because that would have been a better pairing. Even better still would be Lei’D Tapa, and hey, it might happen once she’s had a little more training.

Classic… If I don’t say so myself! 😉

It’s all a bit jumbled up, but obviously TNA only had so much time to fit in as many TV Tapings as possible before they are off Spike TV. So they’ve taped beyond Bound for Glory, hence why BFG can’t have any title matches etc, so it’s more of a One Off Special on a grand scale.

My gripe with Wrestling not being consistent with following the rules when it comes to Faces and Heels always seems to involve Angelina. Of course you could make a good argument for me being as biased as I am.

However should Angelina and Velvet have double teamed anyone in this match (though Velvet did interfere a little) Tenay would have been all over the place for such shenanigans.

Yet as it is, Taryn and Madison double teamed Angelina, and that’s just put down to “putting aside their differences).

The very phrase putting aside their differences also makes it sound like Madison is a heel, which I’m sure she is building to, given she cheated by pulling the Trunks of Taryn to get the win.

It just makes it sound like it’s more defined than it currently is. I like Madison as a face, but she probably is a better heel…. but then, aren’t most?

I don’t see anyone being a Threat to Havok anytime soon, which makes me think someone else might hiding away, like the aforementioned Lei’D Tapa.

James Storm and The Great Sanada vs. Low Ki and Tigre Uno

So one of my absolute favourites – Tigre Uno shined as always in this match. But, what I wanted above all was for Storm to take Uno and bring him into his Revolution.

That didn’t happen… yet.

I’m still hoping, mainly just to give Uno some Air-Time.

I much prefer Sanada in his current role and look, not so much the “Muta” inspired, just a bit more toned down and edgier than he previously was.

Still have no idea why James Storm is creating brightly coloured shiny plastic wearing High Flyers. He doesn’t really “fit” with that style. But I do like his leadership, I’m still hoping for Storm to have a proper World Title run, hopefully next year sometime, and this faction could be his “rise”. Unless of course Muta and Tajiri put a stop to that at BFG. Which given the Japanese crowd, they might play it safe.

Low Ki and Uno both very impressive, it was actually nice to see Storm tangle with the High Flyers for a change, Sanada sprayed the mist at Uno leaving him open for the Last Call Superkick and the Win.

How many times have I used this now?… seriously?

Samuel Shaw vs. Bram – Street Fight

I don’t remember if they billed this match as a Street Fight or not? Doesn’t matter, many different names, all the same thing.

I actually don’t know why this match took place. I enjoyed it.

TNA is now claiming Shaw has been and Tattooed his Arms because of his connection / obsession with Gunner.

OF course anyone who remembers, will know Shaw had these Tattoo’s before. But it’s a somewhat clever way to get him out of his Dexter clothes and develop the story…. if not a little weird.

Bram who is still on the rise took quite a beating in this match, which is odd. I actually don’t know who the heel is, or if they are both heels. Are we supposed to like Bram more because he’s successful, or are we supposed to route for Shaw given his redemption and connections to Gunner?

Or are we supposed to dislike them both, but enjoy the match.

I like both Bram and Shaw, and enjoyed the match. Option D…. or C. I didn’t check.

Also Math.

Also… Also.

I didn’t know Bram was married to WWE’s NXT Women’s Champion, I know Bram was released from the WWE. But it’s a cool connection. Not to mention that Charlotte – NXT Women’s Champ is also the Daughter of Ric Flair. So Bram is the Son in Law of the Nature Boy.

Kind of cool.

Bram then hit Shaw in the head with the Turnbuckle and won. Brittany wondered down to the ring and cradles Shaw’s fuzzy chop face.

Bobby Roode vs. MVP and Kenny King – Handicap Match

As I mentioned at the get-go, Impact kicked off with Roode again going on about wanting “One More Match” with Lashley. Least he didn’t keep repeating it to get the Crowd chanting this week. Nothing looks more pathetic than a Guy trying to get a match after losing fair and square by “trying” to get the Crowd chanting for the same goal.

I do miss Heel Roode. I’m sure should Roode get the World Championship again, I will miss Heel Roode all the more.

It will also mean he won’t have the belt for very long – good guy champions are rather boring…

MVP still speaking for Lashley turned down Roode’s attempts for a Re-match once more. But instead from the aid of Kenny King added this stipulation and match – should Roode beat them both, he gets a Title Shot, if not, he can never Wrestle for the World Championship again. Which Roode agreed to… sounds smart.

Clearly Roode wasn’t going to lose this match, and I’m glad Lashley came out and DQ’d King by beating up Roode. Makes it much better, and much more interesting.

What was far funnier was Kurt Angle’s little backstage segment with MVP stating that MVP doesn’t run the show anymore. Given that this was toward the end of Impact, I question the logic of if Kurt Angle was even running the show!

Given that he wasn’t there at the start, or even during the match, he clearly wasn’t paying too much attention.

Roode technically took the win by a DQ, but none of the stated Stipulations took place as Angle set a Number #1 Contenders Match for next week.

Ethan Carter the Third and Spud continue to develop their little break up.

Spud himself as stated that he was so happy TNA gave him the chance to re-invent himself with this Chief of Staff role for Dixie Carter. I was sure Spud was going to get fired sooner or later, we barely saw him on TV, I think he maybe had two, three matches tops and really didn’t seem like a good fit. He said the same thing about himself, which I admire.

But thank god he had the chance to be the Chief of Staff, because Spud has been a highlight in TNA ever since.

As I said last week, I don’t know the longevity of a Spud face turn, I’m not sure it would be the same should he not be a heel character. But I can totally get behind him against EC3, in terms of being bullied and Spud’s little defiance turn.

Spud eventually Slapped EC3, but then EC3 fired Spud from his services. I just thought, should EC3 and Spud face one another, I think EC3 should beat him down, badly, but in a “good effort” kind of way.

The Hardyz vs. Team 3D vs. The Wolves – Full Metal Mayhem – World Tag-Team Championships

Was this series better than Beer Money vs. Motor City?

Honestly I don’t remember that Series amazingly well, but I would say yes. Only given the heights of the series and the participants.

I didn’t make any notes, only as to who won.

The Wolves retained their Championships, which I think is fitting. I’d have liked to see The Hardyz with the belts, and I hope that actually happens. But really, Team 3D should have won if the titles were going to change hands.

But putting over The Wolves was the right move.

The only thing that taints this match was the fact we know it was Taped and that the Crowd just wasn’t electric enough as you’d like.

The match itself – phenomenal.

The very first Full Wrestling PPV I watched as a regular Wrestling fan was SummerSlam 2000 – the very first TLC Match, and that PPV will always be special to me. The Hardyz have been my favourites since I got into Wrestling, to have them and 3D to do this again, 14 years later, is crazy.

It might have been 14 years, but the level of the match, the intensity of the match, was right up there with the best.

Which is also depressing, this Match is worthy of being Remembered in Wrestling History, so many of TNA’s matches are. But will they ever be?

It’s hard to say, I really hope so. If TNA ever go under, I really hope the WWE buy out their tapes just to have it on Record.

Can I sit back and say that this match, was THE match of the year. No.

But it’s definitely the front runner, and I can’t wait to go back and re-watch it!

This is the Wrestling I grew up Loving, with 80% the exact Same guys, and I love that.

So that’s another Impact, yet again a Solid show with a Fantastic Main Event. But it does seem no matter what they put on, TNA just drags along at the same level it’s always at.

Which is a shame, it really is.

Bound for Glory is this Sunday, I will do my best to get it Written up for Wednesday!

I’d like to do the “Predictions” segment for the PPV’s, and I shall, but obviously it’s not really a Storyline driven PPV, and it features 40 – 50% of talent I don’t know.

I actually remembered to follow up with my Predictions List! Yes, this makes everything much better and far more entertaining!

Also this happens to be the second time I remember to do it. So yay? The first was when Anderson had the “Committed” match with Shaw. When the hell was that?

No Surrender was pretty good, and TNA has been pretty damn good of late as it is. Even more praise is shooting out the kazoo for their latest Impact Tapings.

So kudos, and kazoodos for kicking off the Televised special with a Wrestling Match! You wouldn’t think it was that hard to get right, would you?

I made the prediction that Havok would be the smart money to bet on, I was right. Too bad I went with Velvet huh?

Despite the chances in this match, it was really just to give Havok an exhibition. I don’t dislike her. I like to poke fun with the Disco Bane and Skrillex comments, but hey, makes me laugh. Isn’t that why I write this thing every week, to make myself laugh!? Of course it is.

Rebel takes a hard landing to the floor rolling down the Steel Steps, despite her not really being ring ready, on the ground of her breaking her arm. She does have a good look and seems to enjoy throwing herself down some steps. So, the future is bright?

However, her doing the splits to dodge, though “different”, highly impractical.

How’s that for journalism.

Havok Won – no face!

Kenny King vs. Chris Malendez

This was an awkward impromptu match.

Here’s why this annoyed me. MVP and Kenny King headed to the ring to call out Malendez, to then give him this great opportunity of Carrying luggage.

Why was that scripted?

Why waste time with that crap? Malendez needs some work on the mic, but hey, first time. I can let that slide.

Then we immediately hit the territory, just like that. King goes on about how he’s only got one leg, go back to “Boot Camp”, blah blah blah.

Now I’m not going to pretend like I’m offended, because I’m really not. What bugs me is that Malendez gets the sympathy vote, I’m sure that’s the last thing he personally wants. Having someone who is obviously not a fit for the Wrestling business, be written as a Character who is not fit for the Wrestling business, who has people mock him, and then beat the crap out of him.

Why would you sign the guy?

You signed the guy because he’s impressive, because he’s 6ft plus, he has a good look, he’s strict, trained, a War Hero.

Don’t let him be an idiot who casually walks out to meet the bad guy and offered jobs of lackeys, then gets made fun of then beaten down.

The only people that wins over, are those who feel sorry for him. I feel sorry for him, it’s a horrible, horrible accident, but what empowers that, is his stride to overcome it.

What I don’t feel sorry for, is someone getting into the Wrestling business to suck ass at it. Again, I know he’s being Written this way, but how am I supposed to get on board with that, that doesn’t reflect on the sympathy angle where I cheer for him because “He’s very good, given his disability”. When you could have people cheer for him because “He’s Very Good”.

The entire match was Malendez getting the crap kicked out of him by Kenny, till in the end he Managed a roll up and won, then got beaten up even more.

Yay, this guy sucks! Well done TNA on signing someone who sucks, again!

This is my point, you tell me how good he is, you show me clips of how he can wrestle, you put Bully, Devon, Anderson and Kurt’s stamp of approval on him, then you write his character so he sucks and can’t defend himself.

What am I supposed to take from that?

Anderson came to the rescue, so I guess this is a learning curve type of thing. So who knows. But it’s TNA, so I can take a pretty damn good guess.

Homicide vs. Samoa Joe – X-Division Championship

I’m going to say it, the fact that this match took place, is ridiculous.

Sure, back in the day Homicide was a “guy” in the Division, but he’s never been great. Now you’ve got guys who are great, and they’ve been passed up literally for months to cater to the “Home field” advantage by bringing in crowd favourites to bury your talent.

Wow, you hired this awesome Luchador from Mexico, you’re right, he’s incredible. But he sucks compared to “Blam Blam” Homeboy I can do a freakin flip, Homicide.

He’s not even signed with you. So you use him to bury the guys you have signed to your roster.

Here’s a thought, screw the home field advantage and build your talent.

Guess what, Samoa Joe isn’t from New York, but people love him. Crazy Steve has barely done anything or given any screen time, and they love him too.

People respond to Tigre Uno because he’s so impressive in the ring. Give him the time.

Also lol –

I told you I make myself laugh.

Speaking of things that make me laugh, Tenay and Taz plugged the next round of Impact Tapings by saying “You can see yourself on TV!”

Which is one of two things, or in fact, both things!

Your struggling to sell tickets so you add in the extra boost of people being on TV, which is a poor, poor way to sell your product.

And number two, in a related sense, there will be so little people attending the TV Tapings, that you are Guaranteed to see yourself on Television.

Just saying.

Blam Blam hit a Cutter on Joe and didn’t win, thank fully. I hate the Cutter. But I also Love the Cutter. DDP was the guy, Orton uses it well, Bully pulls it out here and there. It bugs me when people use the same finishes. Least it’s not as annoyed as Taryn using it, but whatever.

The only good thing from Homicide using the Cutter is that Joe countered it into a joke – mid air, and won the match.

James Storm, Sanada and the new Super Manik then crashed the segment.

There is no reason, at all, for James Storm to be re-designing the X-Division as Cultural Luchadores.

My only hope is that Tigre Uno might actually get some better TV Time.

The Hardyz vs. Team 3D vs. The Wolves – Ladder Match

Again, fairly obvious who was going to Win this match.

The first match in the Series, was freakin awesome! The Tables Match, wasn’t as good, still good, just not as good as I had hoped.

But then I always find Tables Match lack. They really aren’t all that exciting unless quite a few Tables are used. Hence my moan at only one member of the Team going through a Table. Which means people have to put themselves through a few tables, or they introduce other weapons to make them more entertaining.

However, Ladder Matches can be fantastic on their own. And also work better with more weapons.

If a match is So Good, you should just watch it.

There’s nothing I can say to do it justice, so just watch it.

This match was awesome, best in the Series so far and I will put into the Match of the Year Nomination, however! I might also take it out given on how good the final match in the Series is, and people are saying IT IS AMAZING!

Super hyped!

Sucks it’s not at BFG though.

The Wolves pick up the win.

Bram vs. Gunner

This match happened.

Not sure why they put it between the top two matches of the card.

Earlier on in the night Gunner told Shaw that Brittany has a thing for him, to which he replies “My mind is already occupied with someone else”.

Billy and Chuck, I’m telling you.

Gunner “injured” his knee, Shaw went crazy and got involved, accidently clothesline’d Gunner and Bram picked up the win.

Despite the crap story with Gunner and Shaw, Bram’s rise to the top is quite interesting. They keep pushing how good he is. And guess what, I believe it. Because he’s impressive, he wins, he fights, he doesn’t back down. Not like Malendez, who gets his ass kicked because he politely turned down being a lackey! Why would I like that!!!?

Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley – World Heavyweight Championship

I wonder if Lashley will be called Bobby again now?

Another thing that goes through my head is wondering what Roode was thinking when he decided to wear some crappy looking sex jacket to the ring.

His Robe was awesome. It worked. This looks terrible.

Something else that is pretty damn awesome, is Lashley’s new music. I’ve always liked it, but I enjoy how it just changes the mood. He feels like a force. I like that.

Which brings me to what I really, really don’t like.

Lashley rolls out the ring and MVP calls for a Time-Out, and the ref lets them have it. MVP and King wipe his face, and continue to get involved.

Lashley should not have these guys outside for him. He’s supposed to be this beast, he’s supposed to be unstoppable.

When you give him help, he looks weak. He shouldn’t be booked weak. You shouldn’t have his friends wiping his face! No!! That’s just No….Nooo!! NOOO!!

He’s even doing a Face-Palm… could it get any better!

Do you know what I do like, is the Roode Bomb. I enjoy the move, but I detest the name.

Utterly stupid name for a super cool move.

What makes it cooler is Roode using it to “Roode Bomb” Lashley right to the floor, and Credit to Lashley for taking it, literally right to the floor. Looked really painful, and also really cool!

In the end though Roode leap frogged Lashley’s attempted Spear and “injured” his leg, to which Lashley then speared him and won.

I don’t know quite where to place the match.

The match was really good! Really good! But it’s not so memorable. I also feel this isn’t done yet.

Which means!

I knew Lashley was going to win well before this match was going to take place, EY spoiled it in an interview I read. So technically the Prediction doesn’t count!

Right now, I’m in the mood for Bound for Glory.

I want a great PPV just like Slammiversary was.

Though with all the problems in TNA right now, the booking, change arounds, no matches are really being built for the Biggest show of the year, in Japan of all places. The only thing they are building is James Storm’s revolution.

Well, I guess there is no time better to start writing this week’s The Jobber Blogger then right now. On Sunday! Yes, I am on time! Huzah!

I’ve not actually been and read back last week’s issue, but it did seem a bit of a rush around squeeze in, so if anyone didn’t like it, then I can apologise.

However, isn’t this interesting, I have just this week got back from my short trip away, which was lovely, thanks for asking. But right now, things are all blowing up.

Spike TV doesn’t seem interested in renewing TNA’s contract, which would effectively cancel Impact Wrestling. But let’s be serious for a second, one, Spike has not as of yet cancelled the show. Two, Spike are actually being pretty decent to TNA, unlike they did when they cancelled WWE Raw some years ago. All TNA need is a new network, or another deal with Spike.

This is why TNA isn’t going anywhere, despite people already writing which Wrestler is going where. Obviously this isn’t a good sign, but TNA is drawing Spike’s biggest numbers, which probably also means Spike’s biggest money project, is also TNA. So win some, lose some I guess.

TNA is a huge, million dollar company, that has its roots firmly set all over the globe. They are the number one watched Wrestling show in a good portion of Europe, someone will want them.

Again, people seem to think this is bad news, and a sure “good riddance”, yet WWE’s been through this before, it doesn’t’ mean anything.

What TNA need to do however is address what isn’t working. Paul Heyman recently said that people need to let go of ECW, and thank god he said that. Of course some people don’t like his words, but it’s almost pathetic now.

TNA just can’t let it go, and the only reason that is, is because ECW is more viable than TNA. How ridiculously bad is that. The best work TNA can do, is when they theme their shows to a flash in the pan company from over a decade ago. TNA has 12 strong years of history, but it’s clearly not working. At least in a branding sense.

It’s frustrating, year after year, TNA has the talent, the locker-room is fantastic. When they put on a Wrestling show, it’s the best Wrestling show going. When they bog it down with crap, no one cares. And it’s almost always bogged down with crap. Vince Russo is gone now, which is good news. They’ve got the Six-Sided ring back, they’re trying to push the X-Division (again) things seem to be rolling. Edge, and JR are publically saying how good the quality of the show is, when they just let their Wrestlers, Wrestle.

You would think TNA would have found their little slice by now, but it’s still all up in the air. But with that being said, at least they are still trying, and taking risks, it’s that which will always gain my respect as a Fan. Though why they drop some good ideas, and then green light some terrible ones, does baffle me a little. I think losing the Bound for Glory series is bad news, but then it wasn’t a perfect tournament, it needs refining, shortening down, but the idea behind it is great.

TNA: DESTINATION X – 31/7/14

Well if you didn’t guess by the banner, it’s Guardians of the Galaxy time folks! I’ve been riding this high for quite some time now. I don’t know what it is, but I am hooked, I’m itching at the finger to just buy anything related to the Guardians. I love the comics, I love the movie, I love the characters. T-Shirts, Toys, Prints, Collecatables, comics of course, everywhere! I’m obsessed!

Which brings us neatly to Destination X, where I am a little unsure of my final opinions on.

Well, it was a good show, no doubt, but it is a TNA show after all, so it does have some niggles.

The whole point of this was to set up a match for next week, against Team 3D and Dreamer, pegged as “one final match”.

Which gets ruined for us all at the end of this week’s show, but more on that later.

Apparently Snitsky and Ryclon, are supposed to represent ECW. Which is a joke. Everyone knows that’s a joke. WWE’s “ECW” was a joke, hell, the original ECW was boarder line a joke in the first place. So yes, Snitsky was briefly in WWE’s ECW, and Ryclon, as Ezekiel Jackson, was the last person to hold WWE’s “ECW” World Championship. Funny enough, it’s the very same Championship which is classed as one of Bobby Lashley’s World Championship reigns. Also a joke.

I find it hard to care about this anymore, but thankfully this all ends next week when Dixie goes through a Table. Oh Wait, is that a Spoiler?… no, it’s on the show, this week’s show. TNA’s own show.

I guess we might as well get this out of the way here. The whole “Next Week on Impact Wrestling” is all about Dixie going through a Table, which is footage from next week’s show. Sure they cut it before she goes through the Table, but what a joke.

They’ve obviously seen that this big “storyline” is not as interesting as they thought, as the Ratings take a dive every time Dixie is on TV, no matter if she’s going through a Table or not.

So to try and boost the viewership one would only imagine, they run the clip of “next week, she goes through a Table, tune in to witness it”. If I was more like a Moriarty, I would not watch it on principle! But I’m going to watch it, because that’s what I’m like. Still kind of crap to spoil your own show. Doesn’t say a lot of good for the product is it. It’s Square Enix all over again.

Hardyz vs. The Wolves – World Tag-Team Championships

So I will be honest, I got a bit of a kick out of covering this match. Sure I do this for the fun of it, but just having established what little I have with The Jobber Blogger, it was pretty cool to be covering a Hardy Boyz match. They’re my team. They’re my childhood, so it was quite a thing.

What is weird though, is having the Hardyz passing the torch, I grew up with them in their prime, now they’re on the closing part of their careers, or at least sailing toward it slowly. It’s quite sad.

I would love to say they were just as good as I remember, on point, perfect, fast and efficient. But they weren’t.

Which obviously, they are a fair bit older, and although Matt is working with ROH and other indie shows, he just doesn’t seem quite as on point. I guess they haven’t team regularly enough either to get back into their old routine. I know they’ve done some shows at Omega, and recently with the Young Bucks (they should be back in TNA).

That slight criticism doesn’t sell them short by a long shot, this match was awesome! The Wolves are at the top of their game, and so is Jeff, I think Matt needs a little bit of time, but he’s only a step behind his potential.

What I will say sucks though, is the entrance theme. It sort of worked for Matt in his whole “Cold Blooded” idea, but it’s not Hardy Boyz. This is Jeff’s version where he put lyrics to it, which is worse.

So I do think that sucked a little bit of momentum from them, the original Hardy Boyz theme is iconic, it’s impactful, and it sets the pace.

I’d like to think if Matt decides to stick around, they might put the time into a new Theme. But who knows what he’s going to do right now.

I really didn’t make much notes about the match itself, other than how good it was, but when they picked up the speed toward the end of the match, is when it really started to shine.

Not to mention Matt got to go out on a high, he might have been the one getting pinned, but least The Wolves’ offensive is so hard hitting, people will understand.

What is possibly more exciting is the advertised Wolves vs. Team 3D vs. Hardyz for the next set of New York tapings, that, I can’t wait for. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them push a Full Metal Mayhem out of them all too.

DJ Z vs. Manik vs. Low Ki – X-Division Qualifier

This match, right here, is what the X-Division is about to me. I know there are another two matches on the card, but these three stole the spot light.

And they gave each other time to shine. All eyes are on the returning Low Ki, who is just awesome, I love Low Ki. But DJ Z draws the short straw, but he backs up his unusualness in the ring, and it’s great to see him get that time. A lot of the time he falls into the weak gimmick, much like Robbie E, but he’s a big threat, and very credible, so I appreciate him having his moment in this bout too.

I’d have preferred to see Tigre Uno thrown into this mix, and much like every week, it’s Tigre Uno’s position that is frustrating me. More on that later on.

In the end Low Ki is the one who picked up the win, defeating Manik no less, which further established Low Ki’s current threat having defeated DJ Z last week.

Sanada vs. Brian Cage vs. Crazy Steve – X-Division Qualifier

It was actually quite a treat to see Brian Cage back after last year’s unsuccessful Gut Check outing. But despite being impressive, I just don’t find appealing as a Wrestler. His physique is his downfall. I just don’t feel there is a place for that kind of breed of Wrestler anymore, unless you are at the top of your game, like Bobby Lashley, otherwise you fall into the “I don’t know what to do with this” category, like Rob Terry.

Cage can move quick for a big man, but I don’t want to see that. As an example, Cage next to Crazy Steve, is just no comparison. Steve is appealing instantly, he’s got a quirky character, he moves perfectly to fit his character, he’s good in the ring, but he’s also highly entertaining, I’m already rooting for him, so there’s no competition.

Sanada (ironically for a Japanese man) is actually a fair bit taller than the majority of the X-Division competitors, he’s a big guy. But he exemplifies the X-Division style, so he’s a great fit (also glad he’s sticking around longer).

Speaking of Sanada, Storm kicked off the match by talking smack on Muta, and then introduced Sanada, with Storm now in the position of Sanada’s new mentor. Which seems absurd.

I don’t really like Storm in this position, but hey, it’s Wrestling. Whatever.

It will bug me that Storm isn’t the top heel though, because his potential is huge. Though not currently against Lashley, but one day.

In the end, Sanada picked up the win.

Yes, TNA is teasing new stars! Which seems silly to sign new Wrestlers, and re-sign current talent, if they’re going out of business. Guess what folks, they’re not going out of business! Woop!

Just maybe a new network.

I do know who this is, so I wont say unless you want to know!

Samoa Joe vs. Tigre Uno vs. Hernandez – X-Division Qualifier

This is why I hate this match.

Tigre Uno is the filler. Tenay kicked off the match by once again praising Uno’s ability, and how close he’s been of late to winning the X-Division Championship. But there is one thing that tells the story of this match, and that’s Joe’s return to the X-Division, followed by Homicide’s return.

Never liked Homicide.

This puts Uno the odd one out, in a Division he’s arguably the best in. If Uno was against Manik, DJ Z, Low Ki, Sanada, Crazy Steve, that would be awesome.

Hell Uno vs. Aries, I want that match.

But here, he was just to throw around. It’s rather annoying if I’m honest, I think Uno is superb.

Joe took the win, making Samoa Joe vs. Sanada vs. Low Ki for the vacant X-Division Championship next week. My pick is Low Ki. Probably more hopeful than anything else.

Austin Aries vs. Bobby Lashley – World Heavyweight Championship

I think we were all fairly sure Aries wasn’t going to win this one. Lashley isn’t losing the belt till Bound for Glory, at the earliest. Which I would guess could be to Roode.

Aries impresses as always, but the thing that still seems odd, is that Lashley really isn’t all that established as World Champ, even now.

I’d much prefer he remain un-established than to have him cutting Promo’s every week about how good he is. But still.

I would like nothing more than to say that this match was match of the year worthy, but it’s not.

If anything, it bugs me a little bit.

Aries took himself out by missing his Suicide Dive to the outside, he hit nothing but Guard Rail, Lashley then speared him for the win.

Sure, this makes sense, but it’s also exactly how Jeff lost.

The difference is that Aries always does his suicide dive, whereas Jeff took a huge gamble by Swanton Bombing the steps, that was his downfall.

I’d prefer Lashley to be so strong, so unstoppable, that even when his opponent thinks they get the upperhand, and dish out their best moves, Lashley kicks out, and kicks out. Which in turn makes them take a risk, just like Jeff did, and that cost him the match.

This seemed less cool, and more like Lashley couldn’t win unless his opponent made an error.

So yeah, Lashley won.

Overall a good show, strong card, good matches.

But nothing quite ground breaking. The only storyline going on really is the Dixie Carter / Bully Ray mess that no one cares about.

Hopefully TNA have some big plans for when I imagine Dixie will be off of TV. MVP is out of the way. And it seems they are going more “old school” TNA. Which is a good direction, hopefully something works out. But then, it seems at the brink of every “new beginning” I’m writing, Hopefully. And still, no hope.

Next week should be good though, least with matches.

Low Ki vs. Samoa Joe vs. Sanada – X-Division Championship

Abyss vs. Bram – Monsters Ball

and EC3, Snitsky, Cyclone and Rhino vs. Bully Ray, Devon, Dreamer, and I hope no other ECW has been.